Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal put on a scoring clinic, amassing a total of 87 points to lead the Phoenix Suns (47-33) to a commanding 124-108 victory over the depleted Los Angeles Clippers (51-29) on Wednesday night.
The Suns’ triumph marked a remarkable turnaround from their previous encounter, where they suffered a humiliating defeat in the first quarter, ultimately falling short despite a late comeback attempt.
With the win, Phoenix solidifies its position in the Western Conference playoff race, currently occupying the seventh spot and trailing the New Orleans Pelicans by just half a game for the sixth seed.
In a game characterized by momentum swings, the Suns showcased their resilience, embarking on a decisive 23-2 run in the fourth quarter to seal the victory and halt the Clippers’ four-game winning streak.
Bones Hyland impressed for the Clippers, tallying a career-high 37 points and displaying his sharpshooting prowess with six three-pointers, but his efforts were not enough to thwart the Suns’ relentless onslaught.
Despite missing their stars Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook, the Clippers displayed depth and tenacity, with Hyland and Brandon Boston Jr. (23 points) leading the charge off the bench in a valiant effort against the Suns’ formidable lineup.
With the regular season winding down, the Clippers face the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs.
The Suns’ victory was buoyed by the return of Jusuf Nurkic, who made a significant impact with his presence in the paint, contributing three points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists to help Phoenix secure a crucial win.
